The latest from the National desk

'Toy Box Killer' investigation in N.M. recovers human bones

October 20, 2011 | 7:00
am

News that human bones had been discovered at a New Mexico reservoir led authorities to resume their search this week for remains of possible victims of the man known as the "Toy Box Killer," convicted a decade ago of sexually torturing women.

Also this week, the FBI posted hundreds images online of items that were collected during their investigation. An FBI spokesman told The Times that the items had already led to new tips.

Investigators returned to the Elephant Butte reservoir on Tuesday after learning that a visitor had discovered parts of a human femur and other bones on the eastern side of the lake about a month ago, according to Frank Fisher, a spokesman for the FBI's Albuquerque office.

Ray, who died behind bars in 2002 while serving more than 223 years in prison for sexual torture, claimed to have more victims. He is believed to have buried them near the lake, within sight of his former residence in the town of Truth or Consequences. But no bodies have ever been found.

Investigators spent about five hours Tuesday searching the area where the leg bones were found, but turned up no more evidence of remains, Fisher said.

The bones are "extremely weathered," Fisher said, making it difficult for a forensic anthropologist to determine their age. He said they would be sent to the office of the medical investigator and possibly an FBI lab in Quantico, Va., for further analysis.

Ray was arrested in 1999 after a woman fled his trailer wearing only a dog collar and chain. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and rape and was also convicted of kidnapping and torturing a Colorado woman. A search of his trailer revealed surgical tools and a makeshift coffin.

Fisher said investigators planned to return to the lake soon to continue their search.

Photo: Some of the hundreds of images of items collected during the investigation of David Parker Ray, a New Mexico man who died in 2002 while serving a sentence of more than 223 years in connection with kidnapping and other charges involving two women who said he sexually tortured them at his residence near Elephant Butte Lake. Ray claimed to have abducted about 40 victims from several states, but no remains have been found and linked to him. The FBI believes some of the items pictured, including jewelry and clothes, may have been taken from victims, and it is asking for help identifying any of the items. Credit: FBI Albuquerque field office.